You remember those old St Trinian’s movies, the ones with Alaister Sim and George Cole and the undercover policewoman played by the great Joyce Grenfell?

She was sent to the school to investigate what was going on by her police sergeant fiance Sammy.

He pretty much emotionally blackmailed her into going and she would try to protest the daunting task with a worried and exasperated “Oh Sammy” in a weak but disappointed tone.

Every time our own Sammy Wilson opens his mouth, I hear Grenfell’s disappointed “Oh Sammy” in my ears. And it happens a lot.

This week again, in fact. Sammy was being filmed for the BBC and was out and about meeting and glad-handing the voters, one of whom urged Sammy to vote to get Northern Ireland out of Europe and to get “the ethnics” out of here.

Sammy is clearly heard to agree whole-heartedly with the sentiment. When tackled on it, he threw his toys out of the pram and refused to be filmed by the BBC as he claimed their point and their whole approach to the film to be biased.

Well, see, not really. There is no need to put a negative spin on these things, it didn’t require it.

He was very clear in his agreement with what was an idiotic and racist point made by a member of the public. And it was recorded. Actual proof.

There are a few politicians here who have made similar gaffes then claimed it never happened, even if the microphones were turned on and the phones were filming them. The world is always watching and the record button is always pressed.

It seemed to me like a stupid reactionary comment to a potential voter.

There always seems to be two choices of response when politicians flap their gums and get themselves in trouble. Either “it was taken out of context” or “it was a joke”.

No one buys the first choice, do we?

That something that was actually said and recorded for all to see, wasn’t actually said in that way at all? No. No one buys that.

The first option is cowardly idiocy, the second is more offensive.

“It was a joke”. A great get-out clause for every bigoted, tasteless, sexist, racist book-dodger.

Remember in 2009 the two jokes he made in a debate about members of the opposition having Alzheimer’s Disease?

It isn’t funny, Sammy. You are using the language of the school bully, the nudging, winking twit.

The same year he claimed local people (what an awful term that has become) should get employment priority over foreign nationals regardless of their suitability or their education etc.

When he was Environment Minister, he said man-made global warming was a “con”. He even banned adverts warning about global warming. I repeat, he was Environment Minister at the time.

When he was Roads Minister, he was fined for riding his motorcycle without tax or an MOT. Amazing, isn’t it?

In all honesty though, I’m not sure he is racist.

Reactionary, yes. Lacking in tact, taste and intellect? Yes, but not necessarily a racist.

But, and this is an important one, if the far right start to have any kind of major influence in Northern Ireland they will impact on the opinion of those who vote.

You can already see their presence in every “Locals Only” graffiti, every burnt-out car belonging to a foreign national, every physical and verbal attack on other races.

Politicians want those juicy votes.

And in times of austerity and high unemployment, that’s when the far right spread their hate-filled agenda like a plague.

When people are desperate and fearful and without hope, that is when national identity turns to fascism.

An entrenched mentality based on paranoia and scare tactics from the manipulative forces for their own gain.

And when such things happen, politicians will want to capitalise on that, say the right phrases, regardless of right or wrong, for right never won votes. Saying the right things does.

Arlene Foster has stated categorically that Sammy is not a racist. She’s probably right.

But I think he is someone who is weak and wants to say all the right things to his supporters so he can keep his job.

Even if it means agreeing with some small-minded racist in the street or some corner boy with a soundbite opinion.

Politicians need to be reminded that they are not stand-up comedians.

Entertaining us or each other isn’t a requirement for what is a very privileged position.

No. Their job is to represent us. It has a high level of responsibility and power and should not be taken for granted.

And maybe listen to what you are agreeing with. Like I said, the “record” button is always on.